Launched on May 14, 1997, the Star Alliance is a alliance of different airlines throughout the world. It is the central provider featured on the travel website Travelocity. It has been suspected, and investigated by the EU, for being an attempt to create a virtual merger between all of the airlines.
Features of the Airline alliance:
- The routes are primarily allocated to one airline per area, thus eliminating competition within the Star Alliance.
- Airline mile rewards are applicable to all members of the Alliance.
- Members of a lounge on one airline can access the lounges of all other members.
It has been predicted that the Star Alliance will be eventually allowed to merge into a unified corporation, when the United States government tires of subsidizing the airline industry and allows transnational airlines.